Build your child’s money skills while you read
It's important to you to get the most out of reading time with your child. Money as You Grow Bookshelf lets you build on the time you may already spend reading together, and helps you bring money topics to life through storytime.
Get started
- Browse through the list of books and choose one you'd like to read with your child, for ages 4 to 10. The books should be readily available at your library or bookstore.
- Download the reading guide, which helps you explain the key ideas covered in the book and gives you questions to ask during reading time and activities for afterwards.
- Have fun reading together. Hold the book so everyone can see it and ask questions as you go. See 9 ideas to keep reading fun .
Visit the Money Monsters story page to learn more about the ideas, habits, and activities that they'll need as they grow up and start to manage their own money. Get started with our how-to guide and order free resources from GPO .
Want to bring the book club to your library? Get started with our how-to guide and order free resources from GPO .
Reading guides
Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday
by Judith Viorst
Find out what Alexander learns about self-control after he overspends.
Key ideas: Prioritizing, Saving
Age: 4+
A Bargain for Frances
by Russell Hoban
See how Frances had to work on prioritizing when she bought a tea set.
Key ideas: Setting goals, Staying true to yourself
Age: 6+
The Berenstain Bears & Mama’s New Job
by Stan and Jan Berenstain
See how Mama’s hobby became a way of earning money for the family.
Key ideas: Setting goals, Staying true to yourself
Age: 4+
The Berenstain Bears’ Trouble with Money
by Stan and Jan Berenstain
Check out ways the Bear family helped the cubs with saving their money.
Key ideas: Making decisions, Spending
Age: 4+
But I've Used All of My Pocket Change
by Lauren Child
See what happens after Lola makes some spending choices that she regrets.
Key ideas: Making decisions, Spending
Age: 4 – 8
A Chair for My Mother
by Verna Williams
Check out how the family follows through after they save enough for a new chair.
Key ideas: Setting goals, Earning
Age: 6+
Count on Pablo (Cuenta Con Pablo)
by Barbara deRubertis
Find out how Pablo practices flexibility at the vegetable market.
Key ideas: Solving problems, Earning
Age: 5 – 7
Curious George Saves His Pennies
by Margret and H.A. Rey
See how a savings bank helps George practice sharing and borrowing.
Key ideas: Making decisions, Sharing and borrowing
Age: 4 – 7
How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?
by Bob Merrill
Share in the feelings that come with doing things to help other people.
Key ideas: Prioritizing, Spending
Age: 3+
Jingle Dancer
by Cynthia Leitich Smith
See the ways Jenna takes small steps to reach her goal.
Key ideas: Solving problems, Sharing and borrowing
Age: 4+
Just Shopping with Mom
by Mercer Mayer
Check out the way the children help Mom with spending at the store.
Key ideas: Prioritizing, Spending
Age: 4+
Lemonade in Winter
by Emily Jenkins
Spot the ways Pauline and John-John exercise flexibility at their lemonade stand.
Key ideas: Solving problems, Spending
Age: 3 – 7
My Rows and Piles of Coins
by Tololwa M. Mollel
Sympathize with Sarumi as he uses self-control to resist salespeople at the market.
Key ideas: Setting goals, Saving
Age: 4 – 7
Ox-Cart Man
by Donald Hall
Understand how the farm family set goals to make and grow things to use and eat.
Key ideas: Earning, Setting goals
Age: 4+
The Purse
by Kathy Caple
Find out how Katie felt when she set a goal of buying a new purse.
Key ideas: Solving problems, Setting goals
Age: 4+
The Rag Coat
by Lauren Mills
See how Minna stayed true to herself when her classmates talked about her coat.
Key ideas: Solving problems, Sharing and borrowing
Age: 6 – 9
Sally Jean, the Bicycle Queen
by Cari Best
See how Sally Jean uses patience and creativity to get what she really wants.
Key ideas: Solving problems, Earning
Age: 4 – 8
Sam and the Lucky Money
by Karen Chinn
Find out how small amounts make a big difference during Sam’s trip to Chinatown.
Key ideas: Prioritizing, Sharing and borrowing
Age: 4 – 8
Sheep in a Shop
by Nancy Shaw
Find out how the sheep solved the problem of not having enough money.
Key ideas: Making decisions, Solving problems
Age: 4+
Those Shoes
by Maribeth Boelts
See what happens when Jeremy prioritizes buying a pair of black high tops.
Key ideas: Prioritizing, Sharing and borrowing
Age: 5 – 8
Tia Isa Wants a Car (Tía Isa Quiere Un Carro)
by Meg Medina
Check out how Tia Isa keeps track of her savings for the car she wants.
Key ideas: Solving problems, Saving
Age: 4 – 8